The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-05-11

prosperity III huJe-Delluln udyS anu
that the protective tariff has caused
general decline in the farming interest
and been detrimental to the industries
of the state. Captain Forbes says:
Protection is not failure in Vermont be-
cause some farm lands in the back towns
have deprecated in value since the war.
The gain in population and wealth among
the towns along the lines of railroad and in
business centers has been greater in the
aggregate than the loss in the same direc-
ton in the back towns. Some small farms
that are now deserted were never worth
cultivating, and their owners have either
moved to larger and better farms in Yer
mont or removed to other states. While
these small hill farms have been growing
poorer the larger farms in the valleys have
been improving and appreciating in value.
A comparative statement of agricul-
tural productions in 1860 and 1880 is
given, from which it appears that there
has been a general increase in farms,
improved land, farm values, stock and
farm products. The only interest that
shows depreciation is the sheep in
dustry. There has been great gain
in the number of mich COWS, in the
production of butter, in the number of
horses, and gain of S2,000,000 in the
value of live stock. The products of
Vermont farms command better prices
than before the war. Take, for in
stance, six of the leading products, the
prices in 1860 and 1886 being the
basis of comparison: Butter averages
five cents per pound higher; cheese,
seven cents; maple sugar, two cents;
potatoes, fifteen cents g.; oats, fifteen
cents; hay, S4 per ton higher.
The growth of manufacturing inter-
ests and the development of marble,
granite and slate quarries during the
past thirty-six years is remarkable.
The figures show an increase of nearly
ZOO manufactures, of 5000 employees,
of S10,000,000 worth of raw material
used, of S3,000,000 in wages paid, of
S14 100000 in capital invested and of
$10,000,000 in the value of manufac-
tured production for 1880 over 1860.
The total value of the production of
the industries of the state in 1886 is
thought by good judges to have been
at least twenty-five per cent greater
than it was in 1880, or S30,000,000.
The increase in population from 1860
to 1886 was but five per cent, while the
increase in the accumulated wealth was
more than eighty per cent. Captain
Forbes says: "The great growth of the
industries of the state from 1860 to
1880 has contributed materially to the
prosperity enjoyed by the farming por-
ton of the community. The farmers
in every county have been benefited
more or less by this industrial develop
ment, markets being created for their
produce wherever tlourishing town
exists. The increase in wealth in
many farming towns off the line of the
railroad has been as marked as in the
railroad towns cited Only few back
towns show any loss in listed property
valuation" To summarize:
The citizens of Vermont have increased
their wealth, as represented in investments
in banks and industries. from 100000 in
1860 to $50 100000 in 1886. The state an
nually produces 81 0OO, 600 pounds OF butter,
nf 1
tons of hay, 100000 pounds of WOOL it
raises thousands of blooded horses and fine
sheep, and sends to distant markets large
quantities of choice fruits and garden
products. Out of the millions of acres of
rich farm lands in the state are ra Used
products which are annually worth more
than $40, 900, 600. The quarries OF marble,
slate and granite are mines of wealth which
coin for their owners nearly $1,000, 900
every year. The scale works, organ fac
tories, wooden and cotton mills and other
industrial works manufacture goods every
twelve months valued at nearly S25, 000 600.
Here, then, we have nearly 100000, 600, in
round numbers, as the value of the annual
production of the agricultural and indus
trial interests of the state In this con-
necton it may be stated that the banks in
the state hold $4,000 900 of the wealth of
the people in the form of deposits. Since
the enactment of the Morrill, tariff nearly
300 miles of railroad, representing an in
vestment of 600, have been built.
War taxes aggregating SS,00O,0O0 have been
paid. The state is out of debt and the
burden of taxation for the support of the
state government rests lightly on the peo-
pie, the greater portion of the state ex-
penses being paid by the corporations.
Will There BE War!